Lead Inspector General - Overseas Contingency Operations

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Lead Inspector General - Overseas Contingency Operations

LIG-OCO seals

Lead Inspector General for Overseas Contingency Operation (LIG-OCO) is a joint agency initiative, pursuant to section 8L of The Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended (Reference (a)), to provide for coordinated and comprehensive execution of oversight during an overseas contingency operation (OCO). This authority requires the designation by the Chair of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) of a Lead Inspector General and the appointment of an Associate IG from among the permanent IGs of the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of State (DOS), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Responsibilities for the LIG-OCO are triggered by the commencement or designation of a military operation as an OCO that exceeds 60 days.

LATEST REPORTS

LIG-OCO MISSION

The mission of the LIG-OCO is to coordinate, develop, and carry out a joint strategic plan to conduct comprehensive oversight and reporting over all aspects of the OCO, and to ensure through either joint or individual audits, inspections, and investigations, the independent and effective oversight of all programs and operations of the Federal Government in support of the OCO.

Key U.S. efforts during an OCO include security, governance, and development. The permanent IGs of DoD, DOS, and USAID are responsible for staffing and supporting the LIG-OCO in the discharge of responsibilities in accordance with this Act.

The unified oversight of these IG organizations is intended to increase the effectiveness of oversight capabilities across agency jurisdictional divisions and provide results to help Congress and agency leadership make informed program, policy, and funding decisions.

LESSONS LEARNED

OIG has published a guide that summarizes lessons learned from prior reviews and analyses of U.S. Government activities supporting or affected by “overseas contingency operations” (OCOs), primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001. This guide will be a resource for Department managers who may be called upon to work in an area affected by an OCO or in a similar, challenging environment.

Summary Guide to Overseas Contingency Operations Oversight Lessons Learned